The Clippers are happy with the play of backup forward Craig Smith this season. He has played in 48 games (0 starts) for the Clippers this season and he is averaging 15.9 minutes, 7.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Smith is shooting a very robust 58.2% from the floor this season. If the Clippers trade Marcus Camby or he gets hurt then Smith would likely move into the starting lineup at power forward. Until them he will just be a solid sub for the Clippers.

The Los Angeles Clippers are a disapointing 20-27 so far this season, but you can’t put any of the blame on C Chris Kaman.  Kaman has been putting up All-Star numbers and you could make a strong argument that Kaman got snubbed and should be in this year’s All-Star game.  He is averaging 20.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 50% from the field and playing 36.4 minutes per game.  Unfortunately Kaman sprained his ankle recently and has missed that past two games (both losses).  He will likely be out tomorrow night against a very hot Chicago Bulls team, so it looks like the Clippers are on their way to their fifth straight loss.  The Clippers do have a very talented line-up, so I wouldn’t count them out yet.  They need Kaman back in the line-up as soon as possible though, because without him they have no chance of turning their season around.  He is only listed as “questionable” though, so I expect to see Kaman back within a game or two.

Veteran point guard Baron Davis is one of the reasons the Clippers are better than usual this season. He has played in 42 games (41 starts) this season and he is averaging 34.2 minutes, 16.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game. The Clippers need Davis to stay healthy as he has been outstanding in keeping everyone involved in the offense.

21-year old center DeAndre Jordan has stepped up lately with Chris Kaman missing a few games. In his last 5 games, Jordan is averaging 23.8 minutes, 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots per game. Overall this season, Jordan has played in 30 games (5 starts) in which he is averaging 12.3 minutes, 3.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. He is shooting 65.3% from the floor but only 36.7% from the free throw line so Jordan has something to work on. But, he is showing signs of being a pretty good basketball player and that make the Clippers happy.

Starting power forward Marcus Camby seemed like a player the Clippers didn’t want anymore before the season started. As soon as the Clippers drafted Blake Griffin the rumors swirled that Camby was on his way out of town. Boy were the Clippers smart not to trade Camby with Griffin now down for the year without even scoring a point or playing a minute. Camby has played in 36 games (all starts) for the Clippers this season and he is averaging 31.6 minutes, 8.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocked shots per game. Camby has been kind of injury prone in his NBA career to date so the Clippers will be keeping their fingers crossed hoping for his continued health.